Horse-detacher



(No Model.) 7

D. GATES.

HORSE DETAGHER.

No. 247,492. Patented Sept. 27,1881.

In v ento N, PETERS. PhoiwLllhngmphcn Wnshinglun. n. c.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFONSO D. GATES, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

HORSE-DETACHER.

SPEGIFICATIDN forming part of Letters Patent No. 247,492, dated September 27, 1881,

Application filed January 28,1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALFONSO D. GATES, of Cincinnati, Hamilton county, Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Single-Trees, of which the following is a specification.

My invention comprises a metallic sin gle-tree whose peculiar construction enables the ready and secure application thereto of a pair ot spring-bolts or their equivalents, which latter, when retracted, automatically disengage the traces from the vehicle. This result is accomplished by making the central portion or web of the single-tree flat, with considerable lateral or horizontal spread, so as to afford the necessary strength of metal, and from this central web, which is perforated to admit the pivot or pin, the single-tree is developed into two concave or semi-tubular prolongations having an inverted gutter shape. These concave extensions have housed within them the bolts or catches and the springs that cause their protrusion, while the central web is traversed by the pivot wherewith the single-tree is coupled to the splinter-bar of the vehicle. Furthermore, these tubular prolongations are slotted longitudinally to permit the free passage of straps, or cords, or chains, or other flexible couplings that connect the spring-bolts with the pivot, in order that a proper rotation of the latter may draw said bolts back within their respective housings.

Myinvention further comprises a novel combination of notches and detents for maintaining said bolts in their retracted positions, as hereinafter more fully described.

In the annexed drawings, Figure 1 is aplan of the under side of my metallicsingle-tree, the

spring-bolts and their accessories being omitted. Fig.2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is avertical section of one-half of the singletree. Fig. 4 is a plan of the other half of the single-tree, the extreme end of the same being sectioned. F i g. 5 is an enlarged transverse sec- A, flat, or nearly so, and give it considerable horizontal spread, as compared with the rest of the single-tree, in order that it may have sufficient strength of metal after the pivot-hole a has been drilled through said web. Furthermore, this web can be made relatively thicker than the other portions of the device, as shown in Fig. 3. As the metal is developed to form the prolongations or extensions B O, the singletree gradually assumes a concave orsemi-tubular shape as it extends away from the web A, the greater portion of said prolongations be'in g, approximately, of the shape of an inverted gutter, as more clearly shown in Fig.5. Extendspring-bolts D E. These bolts are housed, rev spectively, within the concave prolongations B O, and have at their inner ends eyes or rings or other means of attachment for cords or straps or their equivalent couplings d c, that connect 'said bolts with radial arms orloopsf f of a pin,'F, wherewith the single-tree ispivoted to the splinter-bar Gr. Pivot F has a lever, H, to whose free end a strap or rod may be attached and then be carried back to the vehicle, so as to give the driver instant control of said pivot. Lever H is preferably bent, as shown in Fig. 4.

Surrounding bolt D is a helical spring, I, the outer end of which is passed transversely through said bolt, as seen in Fig. 5, while its inner end is fastened to the bearing or box J, as represented in Fig. 3. This spring is so coiled and arranged as to advance the bolt and impart a slight rotation to the same when itis .retracted.

Projecting laterally from the bolt D is a stop or detent, K, adapted to snap into a notch or cavity, 70, on the lower edge of the prolongation B, and either at the front or rear of the same, the free end of said stop being so shaped as to be readilydepressed with the finger. The other bolt, E,has a precisely similar arrangement of spring I, bearing J, stop K, and notch When the bolts'D E are retracted their respective springs I I insure such a rotation of said bolts as to cause the detents K K to snapinto the appropriate notches in k, and thereby rctain the devices D E in their concealed positions.

To hitch the horse to the vehicle one of the trace-loops is first brought opposite the orifice bin the end of the single-tree, and the stop K is then depressed,which act causes the boltD to fly out and enter said loop. The other traceloop is then hitched to the opposite end of the single-tree in a similar manner, the keepers B C effectually preventing anyaccidental disengagement of said loops from their respective spring-bolts. Vhen the bolts are thus protruded the tension on the flexible couplings (Z 0 turns the pivot F so as to present its loops or arms ff longitudinally of the single-tree, as seen in Fig. 3; consequently the moment this pivotis turned so as to presentsaid arms transversely of the single-tree, as seen in Fig. 4, the bolts D E are simultaneously retracted and the trace-loops dropped from the keepers B 0, thus instantly unhitching the horse, and without compelling the driver to leave his seat in the vehicle.

As all the operative part-sot myhitchingap pliances are housed within the concave extensions B C, it is evident the bolts and springs are protected from the inclemencies of the weather and are not liable to become injured,

can be enhanced either by nickel-plating or japanning the device. Finally, the armsff can be omitted, and cams or disks maybe used for operating the cords, chains, or other flexible couplings d c.

I claim as my invention- 1. A metallic single-tree having a central web, A, and two concave or semi-tubular extensions, B 0, all made of one piece of material, as set forth.

2. A singletree having a central web, A, two concave prolongations, B G, and keepers B 0, all made of one piece of metal,as herein described.

3. A metallic single-tree consisting of a central web, A, two slotted concave prolongations, B l), U c, and keepers B 0, all made of one piece ot material, as herein set forth.

4. The combination, in a single-tree, of sliding bolt D, spring I, stop K, and notch 70, as herein described and set forth.

5. An improved single-tree con'sistingof the central web, A a, slotted concave extensions B I), U c, keepers B G, spring-bolts D I E 1, couplings d c, pivot Fff',lever H,stops K K, and notches k k, as herein set forth.

6. The spring I, coiled around the bolt D, and having one of its ends attached thereto, .while its other end is secured to the bearing J, so as to partially rotate said bolt when it is retracted, for the purpose stated.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto and yet can be readily inspected and oiled at i set my hand. any time from the under or open side of the single-tree. Furthermore, this concave or semitubular single-tree combines the maximum of strength with the minimum of material, and presents a neat and shapelyappearanee, which ALFONSO D. GATES.

Witnesses JAMES H. LAYMAN, JOHN Q. PORTER. 

